Chapter 18: Time, Stop, Part 1

"Hey, wake up. We're here." Rena said.

Storm still slept, the boy exhausted from the previous day.

She smiled, jumping in the back seat to tickle the sleeping boy. He instantly awoke, trying to escape, but she held him down tightly until Storm ran a current of electricity through his body, the girl's body jittering before letting him go.

"Damn it Rena, you know I hate that," he said, annoyed.

The girl grinned, despite being electrocuted. She wasn't sorry at all. Getting out of the car with everyone, Storm looked around and noticed that they were at a port. Rena had already parked the car in a parking spot and had left the keys inside it with the doors unlocked.

"Whose car is that, by the way?" Angel asked. Rena shrugged.

"I dunno. I found it at the castle," She said carelessly.

Angel and Storm looked at the girl dumbfoundingly. Rena felt offended by this and gave a fake, soft gasp.

"Hey, I saved you guys, don't gimme that." She said, Storm shrugging.

"Okay, fine," he said, walking with her to the sky ships.

The ships were large like sailing ships, except with engines and technology in them. It was a cheap and efficient way to travel, but journeys could take time with this means of transportation.

"We've got about an hour before the ship drops us to right next to where the portal is. The machine isn't too far, just a small trip to Ragnite," Rena said with a smile.

"Well, why don't we just pay extra for an express ship to leave now?" Storm asked. Rena waved her hand in disagreement.

"Naaaah. Let's just take the regular sky ship. It'll only take a half hour ride; it isn't a big deal," she said to him. Storm ruffled his hair in frustration and looking to her in irritation.

"Yes, it is a big deal! As far as we're concerned, I'm public enemy number one! Let's hurry up and just go now!" Storm told her.

"Mehhh but we'll have to carry all that luggage the whole way-" she spoke. Storm gave her a blank stare.

"What luggage, Rena?" he asked.

She motioned to the large clothing store behind her and Angel.

"You want to go shopping, knowing full well that my life is in danger every moment we breathe here. Thank you, Rena," he spoke in disbelief. She blushed a bit, her hand to her face.

"Awww, you're welcome buddy, anything for a friend," she said, teasing him.

Storm grabbed her by her arm, pulling her away from the store. There was a look of disbelief that she gave him, the woman insisting on shopping.

"These clothes are keeping you from thinking straight. Let's go," Storm said. Rena planted both her feet into the ground.

"Noooo! C'mon man, it'll only take a minute!" she promised. Storm shook his head.

"Nope. You always say the same thing. Not happening," he said, but she slipped through his grip, running behind Angel.

"The news here won't even broadcast emergencies until like-two hours from now!" she insisted. Storm sighed.

"I don't think that's how that works," Storm said to her.

"Storm, look. We're going to need clothes for this journey, so don't worry about it. I'll make sure she doesn't waste a bunch of time and I need to get some money, so go relax for a minute, alright?" Angel asked. He agreed with somewhat annoyance.

"Yeah, I got it...just give me a call when you're done, alright? Please?" Storm asked, the white-haired girl nodding with a smile.

Rena then cheered, trotting away to the store that she so desperately wanted to visit. Angel handed him some money and walking off with Rena. He decided to take his time and get something like Angel suggested. He went to a store and purchased a sandwich, a couple of shirts and wireless earbuds. He also purchased a small backpack, to which he put all his bought items inside.

Storm took the tuna sandwich from his bag, placed the earbuds in his ears and listened to music while eating as he walked around, seeing if anything was entertaining there. Storm caught sight of an arcade nearby and grinned. After gobbling down the sandwich, he walked over to the arcade, purchased some tokens, and inserted said tokens in a game.

Holding the joystick and placing his fingers on the buttons, he stared at the screen, the game chanting; "Start!". He began playing the game intensely, not taking notice other people passing him by. After a while he noticed someone in a cloak at the corner of his eyes, a strange energy coming from him.

"Shit," he said under his breath, losing to the game on purpose.

He put his hands in his pockets and walked off, the hooded man walking after him.

Storm took a turn in an alley, waiting for the man in the cloak.

"Wingblade," he said in a whisper.

He summoned a wingblade, the blade hovering over his shoulder. However, nobody came. After some time, Storm wondered if the guy was ever a threat at all. Maybe Rena wasn't so wrong to go shop. Maybe he needed to relax. Regardless, he was still cautious as he dissipated his wingblade and walked out the alley. He saw a sight worse than what he thought he felt. He saw Angel and Rena, both being crowded by soldiers.

"Did Celeste catch up to us already?" Storm thought to himself, going back into the alley, jumping from wall to wall, getting on the rooftop.

"Can't risk any of them noticing me yet-I gotta be careful-" Storm thought again, hopping onto a nearby roof. He couldn't get too close to Angel nor Rena.

Noticing the armor, the boy's eyes widened. Steel and some gold, with silver trimming. They were soldiers from Nova. The incident had occurred just a few hours ago, and already they'd found him? This was the last thing he really wanted. Storm quickly decided on what he'd do as he felt like he could take them. He took a deep breath, jumped into the air, and hurdled down atop one of the soldiers.

Angel and Rena heard the commotion, looked back, and saw Storm fighting soldiers. Rena smiled and dropped her new backpack, rubbing her hands together.

"So, he's doing that? Okay," she said, excited, suddenly getting a wingblade thrown at her.

The weapon hit the wall next to Rena, cutting a few strands of the girl's green hair.

"W-What!?" she yelled, looking in the direction the weapon came from. Storm was the only one standing there, the boy staring at Rena, his face telling her "Don't you dare". Rena groaned, understanding and began running with Angel, chuckling a bit as they ran off.